The Kilauea summit eruption that began with a bang at Halema'uma'u Crater on March 19, 2008, stopped spewing rock particles in mid-December, but continues to vent sulfur dioxide gas at high rates.

The March-to-December eruption was Kilauea's longest summit eruption since 1924.

Whether it has truly ended or is "in repose" remains to be seen, say scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey's Hawaiian Volcano Observatory on the Big Island.

"Several lines of evidence confirm a decrease in activity at the vent in Halema'uma'u Crater," scientist-in-charge Jim Kauahikaua wrote in an update last week.

During its latest event, scientists estimate the summit crater has thus far ejected 2,540 cubic yards of tephra — rock, rock fragments and dust.

That's enough to cover a standard football field to a depth of just over 17 inches.

"Volcanically" speaking, this is a tiny amount, said Janet Babb, public information geologist for the observatory.

"For comparison, the volume of ash erupted from Mount St. Helens on May 18, 1980, would cover a football field to a depth of at least 150 miles," she said.

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